Mayor’s Youth Council narrows focus to address key community need

Jodi Schwan

February 21, 2022

Bring together 13 impressive student leaders from across Sioux Falls, teach them about their city and then let them put their own stamp on it.

That was the premise behind the Mayor’s Youth Council, launched this school year by Mayor Paul TenHaken as a way to give students an opportunity to share input on community issues, learn about city government and develop leadership skills through a coordinated community project.

“The idea that the youth is able to have a voice is really appealing to me,” said Maleah Grigsby, a senior at Sioux Falls Christian and vice chair of the group.

She had tried to organize a similar effort in Kansas City before moving to Sioux Falls and was excited to be part of the inaugural program here.

“It’s been really interesting and good growth for everybody who is part of the council … learning how to bounce ideas off each other and learn everyone’s opinion matters and how to listen and grow in leadership skills.”

The students also have learned about the structure of city government, how tax dollars are spent and what issues are emerging within the city.

“It’s been really good,” said Morgan Whiting, a senior at Jefferson High School who became the chair for the group.

“It’s really cool to be able to sit with a bunch of people I may not have met because we come from different schools and backgrounds and come to an agreement on what we think needs to change and do something about it.”

They took a big step in that direction at one recent meeting as City Hall became their high school cafeteria over a lunch hour that included presentations from Avera Behavioral Health about mental health care needs in the community.

Whiting initially suggested the topic, and many other members of the youth council agreed.

“I struggle with anxiety a lot in all my leadership roles, and I found a lot of people in my school, my peers and friends struggle,” she said. “For me, it’s been this last year I’ve finally become more comfortable talking about it, and I think a lot of people still aren’t comfortable because they feel like they would be judged or seen as lesser or weaker.”

TenHaken told the students they’re onto a need.

“In the last two years, people have become increasingly mentally fragile,” he said. “I’ve seen them break right in front of my eyes. … It’s OK to reach out and ask for help from people.”

The students are focusing in on an event this spring that will serve as a sort of resource fair for the community.

“A big thing we wanted to reduce was the stigma around mental health and talking about it more,” Grigsby said. “The biggest thing we want to do is help people see there are so many resources in our community. … Whether they’re struggling with an eating disorder or anxiety or depression, they can know where to go.”

Details about the event will be released soon.

The following students are members of the Mayor’s Youth Council:

  • Antoinette Bita, Washington High School.
  • Daniel Colby, Sioux Falls Christian.
  • Lailene Conde, Lincoln High School.
  • Aida Desaulniers, Lincoln High School.
  • Emma Forster, Lincoln High School.
  • Maleah Grigsby, Sioux Falls Christian.
  • Michael Grismer, Roosevelt High School.
  • Chloe Houwman, Lincoln High School.
  • Sam Markley, Washington High School.
  • Riley Neff, home-schooled.
  • Andrew Nguyen, Jefferson High School.
  • Mhire “Tab” Tsegaye, Lincoln High School.
  • Morgan Whiting, Jefferson High School.

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